It was a picture-perfect Earth Day across Ladue Schools, marked by multiple events recognizing the incredible efforts of our students and staff. These events underscored the district's ongoing commitment to fostering a shared vision for a sustainable future.

The celebration began at Ladue Horton Watkins High School (LHWHS), where students, staff, district leaders, the Board of Education, and members of the Ladue Education Foundation & Alumni Association (LEF) gathered at the Pollinator Garden. Attendees heard from LHWHS Principal Brad Griffith, Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke, and both sponsors and student leaders from Student Action for a Greener Earth (SAGE).

The celebration was a victory lap for the years of work SAGE and sponsors, Dr. Kelley Krejnik and Lynda Rater, have put into making LHWHS a National Green Ribbon School. Their efforts have transformed the high school’s environmental footprint through:

• Student-Led Advocacy: SAGE has successfully spearheaded campaigns to reduce idling in school lots, improve waste diversion through single-stream recycling, and advocate for sustainable school infrastructure.
• The Pollinator Garden: Serving as a living classroom, this garden was designed and maintained by students to boost local biodiversity and provide a serene outdoor space for scientific study.
• The Power of Community: Dr. Krejnik and students emphasized that the high school's green achievements and future projects are made possible by a "community effort" that spans the student body, Board of Education, building and district leadership, and the LEF.

The celebration continued at Ladue Middle School (LMS) with the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Outdoor Learning Space and Garden. LMS Principal Dr. Angela Thompson praised teacher Karin Wallace and LMS students for their vision and persistence in bringing this project to life.

The creation of this space was another true "One Ladue" effort, made possible through:

• Financial Support: Generous grants and funding from the Ladue Education Foundation and the LMS Parent Association.
• Technical Expertise: The Ladue Schools Technology Department installed high-performance Wi-Fi, allowing the garden to function as a fully connected outdoor classroom.
• Expert Construction: The Maintenance and Facilities departments worked tirelessly to assemble and install the structures in record time.
• Collaborative Design: Student members of the Planet Protectors after-school club worked alongside staff and parent mentors to design a space that encourages both socialization and environmental stewardship.

The significance of the new outdoor space was emphasized by an appearance from the Mayor of the City of Ladue, Nancy Spewak, who congratulated the students on their impressive achievement and their role in beautifying the city.

Beyond the physical garden, the ceremony highlighted the "Power of Innovation" and the importance of sustainability across all grade levels. As middle school and high school students stood together, the event served as a bridge to a more sustainable future for the entire Ladue Schools community.

“This garden was just a ‘what if’ not too long ago,” shared Elli Gilligan, an 8th grader and current president of Planet Protectors. “But we all worked hard to turn that idea into action. Sustainability is about smart choices we make every day, and together, we are making a big difference.”

Check out the district social media pages for photo albums from the Green Schools celebration and ribbon-cutting event.